2026 Texas General Election

Dave Thadani is running for Austin City Council's District 9 seat. As an employee, student and lifelong Texan, Dave aims to restore transparency and accountability within the city of Austin. He is a catalyst for the people, and will fight for working-class families, everyday citizens, and an Austin that works for all.

Dave for Austin City Council - District 9

Thadani, a computer science freshman, said he became interested in politics during the 2016 presidential election. He said he began researching how to run for office as soon as he enrolled at the University, and is now running for the Austin City Council District 9 seat, which represents UT and West Campus.

University freshman joins race for UT and West Campus City Council district

Dave Thadani is a lifelong Texan. He is a computer science freshman at the University of Texas at Austin.

University freshman joins race for UT and West Campus' city council ...

As of September 10, 2026, Dave Thadani’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Economy

Public Services

* Landlord Transparency & Renter Protection +
Austin renters are forced into premature contracts and poor conditions due to a lack of clear, accessible, and honest information. It's time our city steps up and holds landlords accountable, mandating transparency and protecting residents.
It's necessary to create a Landlord Transparency Portal, a digital resource that will consolidate existing public data. This includes pulling information from Citizen Connect and other databases to provide a more user-friendly history of code violations, failed inspections, and repeat offenders. As part of the portal, every multifamily rental property will receive a city-compliance "performance score" based on the data from the last 6 months, 1, 5, and 10 years.

It's necessary to create a Landlord Transparency Portal, a digital resource that will consolidate existing public data. This includes pulling information from Citizen Connect and other databases to provide a more user-friendly history of code violations, failed inspections, and repeat offenders. As part of the portal, every multifamily rental property will receive a city-compliance "performance score" based on the data from the last 6 months, 1, 5, and 10 years.
In addition, it's a bare minimum to require all multi-family residential complexes to clearly and permanently display 311 reporting information in common areas, leasing offices, webpages, and resident portals. Ensuring every tenant is aware of and provided with the necessary information to report health and safety issues within their building.

Currently, renters are being pressured into lease renewals and agreements months in advance. Large complexes create artificial deadlines that rush life-altering decisions, using early bird deals and manipulative promotions. We must restrict the marketing of lease contracts before renters are prepared to sign.

* Abundant, Accessible, & Affordable Housing (AAAH) +
We need to ensure abundant, accessible, and affordable housing (AAAH) for all within Austin. This means prioritizing families over corporations. While the H.O.M.E Initiative is a good start, we need to amend it to make sure that affordable housing is occupied and owned by families, working-class citizens, and students.

An AAAH Austin is one that prevents homelessness at the source through deliberate action and expansion of existing programs (Vouchers, Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), Right to Return and Stay).

Proposes a Landlord Transparency Portal with rental-property compliance scores based on public records of code violations and inspections.

Proposes requiring multifamily complexes to permanently display information about reporting issues to 311 in common areas, leasing offices, websites, and resident portals.

Calls for restricting the marketing of lease contracts before renters are ready to sign them.

Proposes amending the H.O.M.E. Initiative to prioritize affordable housing occupied and owned by families, working-class residents, and students.

Advocates expanding vouchers, permanent supportive housing, and Right to Return and Stay programs to prevent homelessness.

- Proposes a Landlord Transparency Portal with rental-property compliance scores based on public records of code violations and inspections.
- Proposes requiring multifamily complexes to permanently display information about reporting issues to 311 in common areas, leasing offices, websites, and resident portals.
- Calls for restricting the marketing of lease contracts before renters are ready to sign them.
- Proposes amending the H.O.M.E. Initiative to prioritize affordable housing occupied and owned by families, working-class residents, and students.
- Advocates expanding vouchers, permanent supportive housing, and Right to Return and Stay programs to prevent homelessness.

Housing & Urban Development

* Safe & Sustainable City Planning +
A safe city is a well-planned city. To ensure an Austin that works for locals and welcomes tourists, we need to integrate focused lighting in heavy foot traffic areas, complete pedestrian infrastructure, and a proactive police presence, as they are the most effective tools for protecting personal freedoms and delivering a safe and walkable city.
We need to make sure the city grows with its people and accommodates all of our needs. Proper growth means fixing our old mistakes and preventing new ones.

Advocates focused lighting, infrastructure for pedestrians, and a proactive police presence in high-foot-traffic areas.

- Advocates focused lighting, infrastructure for pedestrians, and a proactive police presence in high-foot-traffic areas.

Public Safety

Furthermore, we must expand on the CapMetro bikeshare and bus system and promote the growth of the upcoming metro. This means more bikeshare docks across Austin, a completed bikelane network, as well as integration with most public roads.

Advocates expanding Capital Metro bikeshare and bus service, adding bikeshare docks, completing bicycle lanes, and supporting the upcoming metro.

- Advocates expanding Capital Metro bikeshare and bus service, adding bikeshare docks, completing bicycle lanes, and supporting the upcoming metro.

Transportation & Infrastructure

We need to make sure the city grows with its people and accommodates all of our needs. Proper growth means fixing our old mistakes and preventing new ones. This includes protecting our watersheds and focusing on an expanded drainage system to counteract the flooding caused by impervious cover.

Additionally, the increase in impervious cover due to negligent development has led to Austin becoming an Urban Heat Island (UHI), as native vegetation is destroyed and 30-40% of the city is covered in asphalt and concrete, which absorbs heat and contributes to triple-digit temperatures. To combat this, we need to invest in protecting and expanding our green spaces. This would also allow us to create an abundance of third spaces that foster culture, recreation, and community.

Advocates protecting watersheds and expanding drainage systems to address flooding from surfaces that do not absorb water.

Advocates protecting and expanding green spaces to address urban heat from surfaces that do not absorb water.

- Advocates protecting watersheds and expanding drainage systems to address flooding from surfaces that do not absorb water.
- Advocates protecting and expanding green spaces to address urban heat from surfaces that do not absorb water.

Energy & the Environment

Instagram

Dave Thadani

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

Kai Huang, 33, works for Gate US, a crypto currency firm. He appointed a campaign treasurer after June 30^{th} so has not reported any fundraising activity so far.

Field set for November Council election - The Austin Bulldog

Kai currently works for Gate US, a cryptocurrency firm.

Kai Huang currently works for Gate US, a cryptocurrency firm.

As of September 10, 2026, Kai Huang did not have a website or any information online.

LinkedIn

Kai Huang

As of September 10, 2026, Kai Huang’s website did not contain information on this issue.

An Austin resident since 1983, I grew up in northwest Austin and raised my family in West Campus, Downtown, UT student family housing, Bouldin, Allandale, and Mueller. I have navigated life through the city’s evolution and economic ups and downs. I understand, from that lived experience, what is at stake.

Katie Kam for Austin

The city’s constant change inspired my education and career choices. I chose to become a biologist (1996), an urban planner at the city (1999), an Austin ISD high school science teacher (2007-2009), and a civil and transportation engineer (2009-present) to be an integral part of helping my beloved Austin. I earned five degrees (four from UT-Austin), including a Master’s in Community & Regional Planning and PhD in civil engineering to understand the social, economic, and engineering challenges cities face.

Katie Kam grew up in northwest Austin and has been an Austin resident since 1983. She earned five degrees, including a master's degree in community and regional planning and a PhD in civil engineering; four of her degrees are from UT-Austin. She raised her family in several Austin neighborhoods.

My more than 28 years of professional experience includes being a City of Austin employee for eight years in development review, planning, and capital delivery and an assistant director managing a $190+ million transportation, parks, and drainage capital projects program for the City of Pflugerville. I saved the City of Pflugerville millions of dollars by eliminating unnecessary consulting costs, implementing more efficient processes, and improving designs of infrastructure projects.

I’ve been a local business owner, start-up founder, published university researcher, community advocate, and practitioner working in the public and private sector in planning, civil engineering, and science. As a result, I bring a much-needed blend of real-world experience and technical expertise, which is invaluable in my role as facilitator and advocate for the district and city.

Katie currently works as a civil and transportation engineer. She previously worked for the City of Austin in development review, planning, and capital delivery; served as an assistant director for the City of Pflugerville; taught high school science at Austin Independent School District; worked as an urban planner and biologist; and was a local business owner, start-up founder, and published university researcher.

I know firsthand as a former city employee and from the city auditor’s reports and on-going investigations that the city’s bloated budget stems from waste and mismanagement, which occur when Council does not engage in enough questioning and oversight. We need transparency and accountability, not assumptions. The winning outcome: funding for the city services and projects people value.

City Budget & Projects | Katie Kam for Austin

The city’s hotel occupancy tax (HOT) revenue can and should be spent in support of Austin’s music, arts, and culture and the creation of a cultural venue; NOT on a new, multi-billion-dollar convention center. I personally collected more than 4,000 signatures for the petition campaign to stop the center; the community understands another convention center is not right for Austin’s future or tourism economy.

Austin's Culture | Katie Kam for Austin

The development review process is costly and inefficient, with high fees that are inequitable and especially difficult for homeowners and small local business owners to pay. I will continue to advocate for a fee structure and review process that is not a financial burden.

Built & Natural Environment | Katie Kam for Austin

Calls for city budget transparency and oversight to address waste and mismanagement while funding valued city services and projects.

Opposes using hotel occupancy tax revenue for a new convention center and supports directing it to music, arts, culture, and a cultural venue.

Advocates reducing financial burdens from development-review fees and processes, particularly for homeowners and small local businesses.

- Calls for city budget transparency and oversight to address waste and mismanagement while funding valued city services and projects.
- Opposes using hotel occupancy tax revenue for a new convention center and supports directing it to music, arts, culture, and a cultural venue.
- Advocates reducing financial burdens from development-review fees and processes, particularly for homeowners and small local businesses.

We need to prioritize maintenance and critical infrastructure projects that improve the everyday Austin experience (e.g., sidewalks, pothole repair, flooding, roadway safety, parks maintenance, animal services). The city does not have unlimited funding: we need to focus on needs first before optional wants. I will continue to insist on close monitoring of and public involvement in capital improvement projects to ensure timely and efficient progress of well-designed projects.

Austin neighborhoods need their schools back. I chose to raise my kids in central Austin because I wanted them to experience being able to walk and bike to school, parks, stores, and summer camps and to have access to transit. That experience was part of the magic of living in Austin. The heartbreaking closure of neighborhood schools warrants stronger collaboration with Austin ISD to identify temporary uses of the schools and what needs to happen for the schools to reopen.

Neighborhoods & Schools | Katie Kam for Austin

Prioritizes maintenance and critical infrastructure, including sidewalks, pothole repairs, flood mitigation, road safety, parks, and animal services, ahead of optional projects.

Plans to seek close monitoring and public involvement in capital improvement projects.

Calls for stronger collaboration with Austin Independent School District to identify temporary school uses and steps to reopen closed neighborhood schools.

- Prioritizes maintenance and critical infrastructure, including sidewalks, pothole repairs, flood mitigation, road safety, parks, and animal services, ahead of optional projects.
- Plans to seek close monitoring and public involvement in capital improvement projects.
- Calls for stronger collaboration with Austin Independent School District to identify temporary school uses and steps to reopen closed neighborhood schools.

The city has moved away from that to city wide code changes (e.g., HOME, density bonus). Unfortunately, those code changes have not been appropriate for neighborhoods or for addressing affordable housing and should not continue. We need to replace the city-wide code changes with neighborhood planning and regulations created and informed by the planning efforts.

It is not too late to change course: the construction in progress would continue the site preparation but for a world class, interactive, and immersive cultural and visitor information venue that highlights Austin’s cultural history and present. I will insist on a public visioning process for the venue, park, and site, including the option of selling a portion of the 6-blocks of expensive downtown land to return the land to the property tax rolls and to add affordable downtown housing.

The built environment is the way people experience and feel about Austin. We need to co-create our city through inclusive public engagement. I have years of experience negotiating with developers to modify their development plans so that they better fit within the community’s goals and that prioritize the lived experience of those most impacted by the development. The city needs to continue to explore to find the most effective tools and programs to maintain and add affordable housing.

Opposes continuing citywide housing code changes and supports neighborhood-based planning and regulations to address affordability.

Plans to seek public input on redeveloping the convention-center site, including potential affordable downtown housing on part of the land.

Supports inclusive public engagement in development decisions and continuing to explore tools and programs to preserve and add affordable housing.

- Opposes continuing citywide housing code changes and supports neighborhood-based planning and regulations to address affordability.
- Plans to seek public input on redeveloping the convention-center site, including potential affordable downtown housing on part of the land.
- Supports inclusive public engagement in development decisions and continuing to explore tools and programs to preserve and add affordable housing.

Design matters for safety. I will continue to insist on the design of safer built environments (e.g., Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)) and safer roads to significantly reduce crashes, injuries, and deaths (e.g., Vision Zero) so Austin Police and Fire and EMS can provide for other public safety needs. The city’s transportation system should be designed to reduce speeds, such as with roundabouts, speed monitoring signs, traffic calming measures, and low speed vehicle (LSV) infrastructure, to lessen the burden on Police to enforce speeds.

Public & Traffic Safety | Katie Kam for Austin

Quality of life requires feeling safe. Creating a safe city requires respectful, diligent, and streamlined collaboration with Austin Police and Fire, EMS, first responders, code enforcement, Homeless Strategy Office, mental health providers, animal services, and the community (residents and business owners). I encourage research and pilot programs to advance our ability and understanding of how to improve public safety.

Advocates Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design and Vision Zero road-safety measures to reduce crashes, injuries, and deaths.

Encourages collaboration among public-safety agencies, service providers, residents, and businesses, alongside research and pilot programs to improve public safety.

- Advocates Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design and Vision Zero road-safety measures to reduce crashes, injuries, and deaths.
- Encourages collaboration among public-safety agencies, service providers, residents, and businesses, alongside research and pilot programs to improve public safety.

Our roadways should be made safe for low speed modes such as neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs), golf carts, and e-trikes/quadbikes. A grassroots movement has been happening around the US of people choosing low speed modes for grocery shopping, school drop-offs, commuting to work, going out, shopping, and meeting neighbors. NEVs are a fun, practical, and affordable mode that improves mobility and safety – and and they increase the capacity of existing roadways. I have successfully advocated for infrastructure for low speed modes in Central Texas transportation plans and will continue to do so for Austin.

Transportation | Katie Kam for Austin

Kam said she would advocate for increasing accessibility to infrastructure that can accommodate low-speed electric vehicles like golf carts and electric trikes. “Let’s get out of this idea that we just have walking, biking … cars and buses (when) we have these other mobility options,” Kam said.

Now is the right time: UT alumna joins race for UT’s City Council district

We need safer, more efficient roads that follow the “safe systems approach,” which focuses on designing roadways to prevent crashes and not relying on driving behavior alone for safety. Traffic signals are dangerous and inefficient (how much time in your life have you wasted sitting at a red light?). Austin’s traffic signals should be replaced with roundabouts, just as the City of Carmel, Indiana, did with great success. As a civil engineer, Lower cost “quickbuild” roundabouts can be deployed without having to rebuild the intersection. I’ll bring that level of expertise to city council

I support efforts to reduce the amount of land used for parking; however, since cars continue to be the primary transportation mode for most Austinites, we have to couple parking policies with proactive plans to prevent or mitigate the negative impacts of spillover parking in neighborhoods, such as reduced neighborhood walkability and residents unable to find parking for their own vehicles. Installation of sidewalks and residential permit parking and/or parking management districts prior to parking restrictions, for example, helps mitigate/eliminate spillover parking.

I want excellent transit with high ridership that prioritizes being of benefit to the residents of Austin and their everyday travel needs. I have been recognized twice by the American Public Transportation Foundation for my research and thought leadership on transit. I am pro-transit, but I do not support the Project Connect light rail project. The Project Connect light rail is the wrong transit technology and route. Austin’s future demands we make thoughtful decisions now, so I oppose light rail for the following reasons:

According to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) report 0234, light rail has the: highest rates of injury to occupants in other vehicles and to pedestrians not in crosswalks compared with any other transit mode; second highest number of fatalities of pedestrians in and not in a crosswalk, following transit bus; second highest number of fatalities to pedestrians/cyclists; highest rate of injuries occurring at pedestrian or street crossings; accounting for 83.2% of total light rail injuries. Those concerns warrant stopping the project and re-opening a community discussion about creating the best transit system that is safe and works for Austin’s transportation needs.

Austin should consider increasing responsiveness and service areas with on-demand transit, improving transit travel times and safety with elevated transit (e.g., monorail, and sky gondolas (all used successfully in other cities)), and aim for higher ridership with routes that reach more people, especially in areas with households dependent on transit or in most need of reducing transportation time and costs.

I’ve lived long enough and studied transportation engineering (PhD) to know that highway and roadway expansions do not work; the traffic congestion, and frustration, returns within a few years. Instead, we can increase capacity and efficiency without expansions through a variety of ways (e.g., roundabouts, improved connectivity, low speed modes, enhanced commuter transit). I will be a vocal advocate on Council and with CAMPO and TxDOT, for shifting away from “roadway expansion as usual” to a new, more effective, multi-modal, and lower cost transportation future.

Advocates for roadway infrastructure that safely accommodates low-speed vehicles, including neighborhood electric vehicles, golf carts, and electric trikes.

Proposes replacing Austin traffic signals with roundabouts as part of a safe-systems approach to road design.

Supports reducing land devoted to parking while mitigating spillover parking in neighborhoods through measures such as sidewalks and residential parking management.

Opposes the Project Connect light-rail project and calls for a new community discussion on an alternative transit system.

Proposes considering on-demand and elevated transit and expanding routes to increase ridership and reach transit-dependent areas.

Opposes highway and roadway expansions and advocates multimodal alternatives, including roundabouts, improved connectivity, low-speed modes, and commuter transit.

- Advocates for roadway infrastructure that safely accommodates low-speed vehicles, including neighborhood electric vehicles, golf carts, and electric trikes.
- Proposes replacing Austin traffic signals with roundabouts as part of a safe-systems approach to road design.
- Supports reducing land devoted to parking while mitigating spillover parking in neighborhoods through measures such as sidewalks and residential parking management.
- Opposes the Project Connect light-rail project and calls for a new community discussion on an alternative transit system.
- Proposes considering on-demand and elevated transit and expanding routes to increase ridership and reach transit-dependent areas.
- Opposes highway and roadway expansions and advocates multimodal alternatives, including roundabouts, improved connectivity, low-speed modes, and commuter transit.

From the sky, Austin’s tree canopy and natural environment stands out as one of the defining features of the city. Austin’s reputation of being a “green” city requires proactive, careful land planning to maintain the much-needed “urban lungs” and cooling shade provided by trees and vegetation.

Austin started the world’s first city green building program; however, recent City decisions deviate from those values. Policies should encourage maintenance, preservation, and adaptive reuse of buildings and bridges, such as the Barton Springs Zilker Park Bridge, existing housing, and buildings that contribute to the historic fabric of the city. Historic preservation is green building and key to maintaining charming character and a physical reminder of the stories of Austin.

Watershed planning should manage stormwater as a community asset to create new parks and green spaces, improve water quality, and facilitate more sustainable development.

Supports proactive land planning to preserve tree canopy and vegetation.

Supports policies encouraging maintenance, preservation, and repurposing of buildings, bridges, and existing housing.

Supports watershed planning that uses stormwater to create parks and green spaces, improve water quality, and facilitate sustainable development.

- Supports proactive land planning to preserve tree canopy and vegetation.
- Supports policies encouraging maintenance, preservation, and repurposing of buildings, bridges, and existing housing.
- Supports watershed planning that uses stormwater to create parks and green spaces, improve water quality, and facilitate sustainable development.

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Katie Kam

- Encourages collaboration among public-safety agencies, service providers, residents, and businesses, alongside research and pilot programs to improve public safety.

YouTube

We also have two rescue dogs, Dennis and Franklin. Dennis was found living under a bush in Buda in 2020; Franklin was adopted from the Austin Animal shelter in 2024. We’ve lived in Cherrywood since we came to Austin in 2006.

About Rich Heyman — Rich Heyman for Austin City Council District 9

My dad was a third-generation slipcover maker. My mom’s parents were immigrants from Poland who fled rising antisemitism in the early 1900s. Before she immigrated, my grandmother went to work in a glass factory—at the age of 8. I was a first-generation college student, attending UCLA for my undergrad.

I spent 30 years researching and teaching about cities, the last 18 years at UT. I have a PhD in urban geography from the University of Washington in Seattle, where I met my wife, Gretchen.

Neighborhood Organizer

I’ve also worked extensively with neighborhood organizations. I’ve been deeply involved with the Cherrywood Neighborhood Association since moving to Austin in 2006, in many capacities, including serving on the steering committee for the last four years. For the past seven or eight years, I’ve also been a member of the North-Central I-35 Neighborhood Coalition (NCINC), working with 13 neighborhood associations and various departments at the City to improve TxDOT’s I-35 project.

Rich Heyman attended UCLA as an undergraduate and earned a Ph.D. in urban geography from the University of Washington in Seattle. He has lived in Austin's Cherrywood neighborhood since 2006 and met his wife, Gretchen, while attending the University of Washington. He has been involved with the Cherrywood Neighborhood Association since moving to Austin, including serving on its steering committee.

Economic Alternatives

Instead of super-charging the same failed economic development script, we need to adopt new economic development priorities that focus on improving historically low-paying jobs, growing the middle class, and creating an economic foundation that is less dependent on the whims of Wall Street and the profit incentives of global capital. Rather than directing more resources to recruiting “high value” development, we should be investing heavily in growing local & employee-owned businesses and other enterprises that help keep money local, instead of sending profits back to investors on Wall Street or overseas.

A New Economic Development Agenda, or the Same Old Song? — Rich Heyman for Austin City Council District 9

Instead of super-charging the same failed economic development script, we need to adopt new economic development priorities that focus on improving historically low-paying jobs, growing the middle class, and creating an economic foundation that is less dependent on the whims of Wall Street and the profit incentives of global capital. Rather than directing more resources to recruiting “high value” development, we should be investing heavily in growing local & employee-owned businesses and other enterprises that help keep money local, instead of sending profits back to investors on Wall Street or overseas. Local and employee-owned businesses are more resilient, less likely to lay off people, less likely to pollute the local environment, and less likely to make decisions that do not benefit the wider community—because they live in and are part of that community.

The proposed TIRZ agreement for the Dog’s Head is a bad deal for the people of Austin. The terms of the deal mean that the Dog’s Head development wouldn’t pay for itself for more than 35 years. We would pay to make up the deficits created by new residents or suffer reduced services.

Why the Dog’s Head Project Is a Bad Deal for Current Residents of Austin — Rich Heyman for Austin City Council District 9

Advocates for economic development that improves low-paying jobs, grows the middle class, and invests in local and employee-owned businesses.

Opposes the proposed Dog’s Head Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone agreement, citing its projected costs and effect on city services.

- Advocates for economic development that improves low-paying jobs, grows the middle class, and invests in local and employee-owned businesses.
- Opposes the proposed Dog’s Head Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone agreement, citing its projected costs and effect on city services.

We need a city that protects its public assets and supports its public servant employees — not one that outsources jobs and turns over precious public resources to unaccountable private entities.

Issues — Rich Heyman for Austin City Council District 9

We need a city council that sees neighbors and neighborhoods as partners — not obstacles. One that listens to Austinites — not just lobbyists.

Supports protecting public assets and public-service employees rather than outsourcing city jobs and resources to private entities.

Calls for a city council that treats neighborhoods as partners and listens to residents as well as lobbyists.

- Supports protecting public assets and public-service employees rather than outsourcing city jobs and resources to private entities.
- Calls for a city council that treats neighborhoods as partners and listens to residents as well as lobbyists.

People who advocate for land-use deregulation to allow new supply at the luxury end of the market claim that new market-rate housing will make all housing more affordable through the mechanism of “filtering.” Filtering is where older, cheaper units become available to lower-income families, as housing “filters” or trickles down to them when higher-earners vacate their units for newer ones and middle-income earners, in turn, move up into the vacated, formerly high-income units, etc. In theory, this sounds great, but estimates based on actual data show that it takes somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 years for “filtering” to reach extremely low-income households. Filtering is not a realistic way to address the affordability crisis.

Instead of relying on the bankrupt idea of trickle-down housing, a much more direct and immediate way of addressing the affordability crisis would be to provide an abundance of subsidized housing to low-income families at below-market rates.

Austin’s Housing Shortage: Myth or Reality? — Rich Heyman for Austin City Council District 9

We need responsible development. With tenant protections. With support for community-based economic development. We need a city that gives people more control over their working lives and their futures.

I also want to be clear that development itself is not the problem. Change is inevitable. In fact, we need responsible development that protects those most at risk of being priced out. We need density that supports public transit and meets the climate crisis head-on. But heedlessly bending our land-use policies at the behest of billionaire oligarchs and turning our housing needs over to the ruthless grind of global capital? That’s not the answer.

The reality is quite different. Blaming high housing costs on local land-use regulations, such as zoning, is a form of distraction that takes us away from the kinds of things that are actually driving up housing costs, such as a lack of subsidized housing for lower-income Austinites, the flow of investment capital into housing, and the related holding of housing units off the housing market. So why are we being told that the real problem is the “housing supply crisis?” Just follow the money.

Advocates for abundant subsidized, below-market housing for low-income families rather than relying on housing-market filtering.

Supports responsible development with tenant protections and protections for residents at risk of displacement.

Said zoning deregulation does not address the main drivers of high housing costs, including insufficient subsidized housing and housing investment practices.

- Advocates for abundant subsidized, below-market housing for low-income families rather than relying on housing-market filtering.
- Supports responsible development with tenant protections and protections for residents at risk of displacement.
- Said zoning deregulation does not address the main drivers of high housing costs, including insufficient subsidized housing and housing investment practices.

The people of Austin deserve accountability from our leadership, including meaningful reforms that help to prevent such tragedies from happening in the future, including independent police oversight that results in proper training, policies, and, when warranted, punishments.

The July 24 Killing of Anthoneil Williams by APD Officers and Suicide by Cop — Rich Heyman for Austin City Council District 9

The bodycam footage points to the need for a change in training and culture in the APD. Officers should be taught and directed to take a non-confrontational approach and to deescalate, especially now that many of the calls they go on involve mental health issues.

The 911 recording points to the need to move the 911 call center out of the police department and into a civilian department of the city so that operators are trained properly to listen to callers specifically for signs of distress and to not use leading questions that may create a more dangerous situation than already exists. 911 should be administratively separate from the police department.

Giving investigative powers to the Office of Police Oversight and having it report directly to City Council, as the City Auditor does, rather than reporting to the APD chain of command would be a meaningful step towards accountability and would give us a better foundation for preventing tragic events, such as the shooting death of an unarmed Black teen by APD officers.

Calls for independent police oversight that can improve training and policies and impose punishment when warranted.

Calls for police training and directives emphasizing non-confrontational responses and de-escalation, particularly in mental-health calls.

Proposes moving the 911 call center from the police department to a civilian city department.

Calls for the Office of Police Oversight to have investigative powers and report directly to City Council.

- Calls for independent police oversight that can improve training and policies and impose punishment when warranted.
- Calls for police training and directives emphasizing non-confrontational responses and de-escalation, particularly in mental-health calls.
- Proposes moving the 911 call center from the police department to a civilian city department.
- Calls for the Office of Police Oversight to have investigative powers and report directly to City Council.

“I'm an advocate for trying to figure out better modes of transportation for students,” Heyman said. “(For) trying to make it possible that people can go from places where they live, to where they work, to where they learn, (and) to where they want to hang out.”

Former UT professor arrested during pro-Palestine protest runs for City Council

Advocates for transportation options that help students and other residents travel among home, work, school, and recreation.

- Advocates for transportation options that help students and other residents travel among home, work, school, and recreation.

Supports density that supports public transit and addresses climate change.

- Supports density that supports public transit and addresses climate change.

Rich Heyman

- Supports responsible development with tenant protections and protections for residents at risk of displacement.
- Said zoning deregulation does not address the main drivers of high housing costs, including insufficient subsidized housing and housing investment practices.

Zohaib “Zo” Qadri was elected to represent District 9 on the Austin City Council in 2022. He proudly represents a diverse group of Central Austin neighborhoods, including Downtown, Rainey Street, Old West Austin, West Campus, Hyde Park, Travis Heights, Bouldin Creek, Mueller, Cherrywood, and more. Zo attended the University of Texas at Austin and later earned a Master of Public Administration from Texas State University and a graduate degree in Global Affairs from Rice University.

Austin City Council District 9

Zo lives in Central Austin with his wife, Wafa, their son, and their cat, Daisy Mae.

Zohaib “Zo” Qadri attended the University of Texas at Austin and earned a master's degree in public administration from Texas State University and a graduate degree in global affairs from Rice University. He lives with his wife, Wafa, and their son.

District 9 | City of Austin | AustinTexas.gov

Zo Qadri made history in 2023 as Austin’s first South Asian and Muslim Councilmember, elected to represent District 9 at a moment when the city was grappling with affordability, inequitable growth, and climate threats. A former legislative aide and community organizer, Zo came to City Hall with a clear purpose: to make Austin more livable, accessible, and just for everyone who calls it home — not just the few who can afford it.

Zo For Austin — Meet Zo

Zo previously worked as a legislative aide and community organizer.

Zohaib “Zo” Qadri was elected to represent District 9 on the Austin City Council in 2022. He proudly represents a diverse group of Central Austin neighborhoods, including Downtown, Rainey Street, Old West Austin, West Campus, Hyde Park, Travis Heights, Bouldin Creek, Mueller, Cherrywood, and more.

Term of Office

Jan. 6, 2023 through Jan. 6, 2027

Zo was elected to represent District 9 on the Austin City Council in 2022. His term of office runs from January 6, 2023, through January 6, 2027.

We must support small businesses, especially those that are Black and Latino owned, so that our city can retain a sense of place and culture rooted in community. In addition, we must commit to robust citywide labor protections and foster the creation of worker cooperatives when possible.

Zo For Austin — Issues

Passed a resolution backing workers’ rights and urging Google to bargain with YouTube Music contractors, because Austin’s prosperity must include the people who power it.

Zo For Austin

Created the Red River Cultural District fund and a citywide framework to support economic and cultural districts –– so artists, venues, and small businesses don’t get pushed out. Implemented Music Commission Recommendation to increase pay for live City music performances from $150/hour set in 2016 to $200/hour and updated our Local Filming Incentive Program that requires City of Austin Living Wage to qualify.

Supports small businesses, particularly Black- and Latino-owned businesses.

Advocates for citywide labor protections and worker cooperatives.

Says he passed a resolution supporting workers' rights and urging Google to bargain with YouTube Music contractors.

Says he increased city pay for live music performances and required Austin's living wage for local filming incentives.

- Supports small businesses, particularly Black- and Latino-owned businesses.
- Advocates for citywide labor protections and worker cooperatives.
- Says he passed a resolution supporting workers' rights and urging Google to bargain with YouTube Music contractors.
- Says he increased city pay for live music performances and required Austin's living wage for local filming incentives.

We need local elected officials that both value our local artists and work with them to secure a place in our city. We must expand the pilot program of directing hotel occupancy tax revenue to musicians, strengthening affordable housing options for artists, supporting local venues and studios, and uplifting working-class, Black, and Latino artists through city-sponsored projects and funding.

Created the Red River Cultural District fund and a citywide framework to support economic and cultural districts –– so artists, venues, and small businesses don’t get pushed out.

Advocates for expanding hotel-occupancy-tax funding for musicians, artist housing, local venues, studios, and city-sponsored arts projects.

Says he created the Red River Cultural District fund and a citywide framework supporting economic and cultural districts.

- Advocates for expanding hotel-occupancy-tax funding for musicians, artist housing, local venues, studios, and city-sponsored arts projects.
- Says he created the Red River Cultural District fund and a citywide framework supporting economic and cultural districts.

We must ensure a future for Austin that is affordable and climate-resilient, so that our city can be a place that welcomes all and recognizes housing as a human right. It’s time to bring our land use rules in alignment with Imagine Austin, the Austin Strategic Housing Blueprint, and the Austin Climate Equity Plan by reforming the rules that keep housing unaffordable.

It’s time to bring our land use rules in alignment with Imagine Austin, the Austin Strategic Housing Blueprint, and the Austin Climate Equity Plan by reforming the rules that keep housing unaffordable. In addition, we must be proactive about preventing displacement of and stopping homelessness at the source by fortifying our right-to-return and right-to-stay programs, expanding community land trusts, investing in housing vouchers for low-income residents, and ensuring the $300M in Project Connect anti-displacement funds gets spent on truly affordable housing.

In addition, we must be proactive about preventing displacement of and stopping homelessness at the source by fortifying our right-to-return and right-to-stay programs, expanding community land trusts, investing in housing vouchers for low-income residents, and ensuring the $300M in Project Connect anti-displacement funds gets spent on truly affordable housing. We must also expand the highly successful University Neighborhood Overlay (UNO) program to further expand student access to affordable housing, walkability near transit, and safe streets.

Initiated updates to West Campus/UNO to improve affordability, livability, and mobility for the students and workers who keep Austin running. Passed the landmark policy banning the construction of windowless bedrooms. Directed the City Manager to establish a City goal for delivering affordable and accessible student housing and to explore opportunities for increasing the supply of student housing near institutions of higher learning within the City.

Council Member Zo Qadri led historic zoning and housing reforms so whether you're raising a family, have lived here for decades, or just arrived, you can afford to stay and call Austin home. Zo passed comprehensive tenant protections alongside preservation grants for Austin’s heritage.

Secured ongoing funding and policy direction for programs like the HEART outreach team and Downtown Austin Community Court expansion; kept emergency shelter options open; and steered resources toward permanent supportive housing.

Proposes reforming land-use rules to align with Austin planning documents and make housing more affordable.

Advocates for programs to prevent displacement, community land trusts, and housing vouchers, as well as directing Project Connect funds to affordable housing.

Supports expanding the University Neighborhood Overlay program to increase affordable student housing and walkability near transit.

Says he passed tenant protections and preservation grants to protect Austin's heritage.

Says he secured funding for homelessness outreach, community-court expansion, emergency shelters, and permanent supportive housing.

- Proposes reforming land-use rules to align with Austin planning documents and make housing more affordable.
- Advocates for programs to prevent displacement, community land trusts, and housing vouchers, as well as directing Project Connect funds to affordable housing.
- Supports expanding the University Neighborhood Overlay program to increase affordable student housing and walkability near transit.
- Says he passed tenant protections and preservation grants to protect Austin's heritage.
- Says he secured funding for homelessness outreach, community-court expansion, emergency shelters, and permanent supportive housing.

Launched the CityLeap planning study to repurpose right-of-way for bike/transit, protected bikeways from car parking, and advanced planning on Waller Creek and MoPac South to align with climate and mobility goals. Led budget wins for a Mental Health Diversion Pilot, CASTMED paramedics, and Community Health Navigators—practical, prevention-first safety.

For too long, many municipalities have taken a monolithic approach to public safety. We must continue to find ways to work within state law to win real policing reforms in Austin, such as strengthening and expanding on policing reforms like 9-1-1 Mental Health Services, increased police oversight, and ending APD’s mishandling of sexual assault cases.

- Says he secured budget funding for a mental-health diversion pilot, CASTMED paramedics, and community health navigators.
- Advocates for police reforms including 9-1-1 mental-health services, increased oversight, and changes to Austin Police Department sexual-assault case handling.
- Supports fully funding emergency medical services and fire services while investing in housing, mental-health services, and food access as public-safety measures.
- Says he passed Sip Safely, a drink-spiking awareness program that distributed testing strips and educational materials.
- Voted against the five-year Austin Police contract and called for reopened negotiations over its potential effects on city-funded social services.

Zohaib “Zo” Qadri

- City council members collaborate to create and enforce city policies, including legislation on essential services like police, fire, parks, libraries, and utilities.
- They work alongside the mayor to manage city departments, including transportation and parks and recreation.
- Council members can be elected to represent specific districts or the entire city at-large.
- The structure of city councils, including the number of members, their terms, term limits, and partisanship, differs by county.

Passes laws and regulations for your city.

Austin City Council Member, District 9

Candidates (5)